Core Insights - The 15th China International Animation and Comic Copyright Protection and Trade Expo was held in Dongguan, attracting nearly 100,000 visitors and achieving an intended cooperation amount of 1.56 billion yuan [1] - Dongguan has become a hub for the潮玩 (trendy toys) industry, producing approximately 85% of China's潮玩 products and 25% of global animation derivatives [1] - The潮玩 industry in Dongguan is transitioning from OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) to original brand development, with companies like Guangdong Ha Yi Dai Toy Co., Ltd. leading this shift [2] Industry Development - Dongguan's潮玩 industry is characterized by a strong manufacturing base, with over 4,000 toy production companies and nearly 1,500 supporting enterprises, making it the largest toy export base in China [3] - The city is leveraging its complete supply chain to enhance the global recognition of Chinese潮玩, with annual sales growth in traditional cultural series潮玩 reaching double digits [2][3] - The integration of traditional culture and modern creativity is seen as essential for the future of the潮玩 industry, with local government emphasizing the importance of cultural roots and innovative design [3][4] Technological Integration - Dongguan is becoming a testing ground for technology-driven潮玩 solutions, with AI applications enhancing the production and design processes [4] - The expo showcased various AI-driven潮玩 innovations, including audience-generated characters and AI-assisted traditional performances, indicating a shift towards tech-enabled潮玩 experiences [4] Market Expansion - The "exhibition-industry integration" model is being adopted to enhance the潮玩 industry's ecosystem, with the expo being held in key production areas to attract upstream IP and downstream channels [6][8] - The number of original IPs in Dongguan's潮玩 cluster is projected to grow from over 30 in 2021 to 100 by 2024, reflecting a shift towards self-developed cultural products [7] Policy Support - Dongguan has introduced a series of measures to strengthen the潮玩 industry, including a funding allocation of 120 million yuan to support various aspects of industry development [9] - The establishment of a "National Technical Trade Evaluation Workstation潮玩 Service Station" aims to facilitate compliance with international trade standards and protect intellectual property [10][11]

Core Insights - The 15th China International Animation Expo concluded successfully, attracting over 600 companies and more than 2,000 animation IPs from over 40 countries and regions [1][3] - The event saw nearly 100,000 attendees, with over 20,000 being professional visitors, and generated a cooperation intention amounting to 1.56 billion yuan [3][5] - The expo showcased a new "professional exhibition + industrial town" model, enhancing the integration of exhibition and industry [6][8] Event Performance - The expo attracted nearly 100,000 visitors, including over 20,000 professionals, and over 45,000 participated in public activities [3] - The intention for cooperation from participating companies reached 15.6 billion yuan, with three projects exceeding 100 million yuan and 35 projects over 10 million yuan [3][8] - Online and offline sales during the event totaled 1.8 billion yuan [3] Government Support - Dongguan announced a plan to invest 120 million yuan in industrial support funds to promote high-quality development in the animation and toy industries [5] - The establishment of the first national technical trade measures research and evaluation work station for the toy service sector was also announced [5] Innovative Exhibition Model - The expo adopted an innovative "professional exhibition + industrial town" model, facilitating a shift from a single exhibition to a full industrial chain park [6][8] - The model included a 24/7 online toy center and five offline selection centers, promoting a continuous operational system [6] International Collaboration - The expo featured a "Global Film and Animation Creation Hall," attracting IPs from over 40 countries, with Thailand as the guest country [11] - International industry leaders shared cutting-edge animation concepts and experiences, enhancing global collaboration [11][14] Economic Impact - The event generated significant sales, with 45 exhibitors achieving over 500,000 yuan in offline sales, and a total online transaction exceeding 1 billion yuan [10] - Major deals included 1.08 billion yuan in cooperation agreements and multiple projects exceeding 10 million yuan [8][9] Cultural Exchange - The expo facilitated cultural exchanges through various activities, including the "China-Japan-Korea Animation Culture Exchange Conference" [13] - It provided a platform for over 150 cooperation intentions between international and domestic companies [13] Community Engagement - The event integrated local cultural and tourism resources, enhancing community participation through themed activities and transportation services [17][19] - The "潮流东莞 漫游未来" city space art exhibition added to the cultural atmosphere, promoting local tourism [19] Future Prospects - The expo is seen as a new starting point for the high-quality development of China's animation and toy industry, with ongoing support from local government initiatives [23] - The integration of animation into urban life is expected to enhance cultural influence and stimulate tourism [23]

Core Insights - The popularity of LABUBU has surged since April, peaking in June before stabilizing, while Shanghai Disneyland's summer products have become a new consumer hit [1][4] - China's toy exports, particularly dolls and animal toys, exceeded 13.31 billion yuan in the first four months of the year, marking a 9.6% increase [4][6] Group 1: Market Trends - LABUBU's secondary market prices have fluctuated significantly, with limited and hidden editions selling for up to 4000 yuan, while the official price was only 99 yuan [4][5] - The recent influx of supply from the official side has led to a decrease in secondary market prices, indicating a shift in market dynamics [5][6] Group 2: Counterfeit Issues - The rise of LABUBU has led to a surge in counterfeit products, prompting customs to intensify efforts against fake LABUBU items, with significant seizures reported [4][5] - Customs officials have provided tips for identifying genuine LABUBU products, emphasizing the importance of specific design features [4][5] Group 3: Global Expansion - Chinese toy companies are increasingly focusing on international markets after establishing successful domestic models, with LABUBU's global success driving interest in overseas expansion [7][8] - Social media has played a crucial role in the rapid rise of Chinese toy brands, facilitating viral marketing and consumer engagement [6][8] Group 4: Future Prospects - The potential for new top-tier IPs to emerge in the wake of LABUBU's success is high, as various brands are actively developing unique products for both domestic and international markets [7][12] - The integration of traditional Chinese culture into toy design is seen as a pathway for creating innovative IPs that resonate globally [12]

Core Insights - Dongguan, known as the "World Factory," is transforming into a vibrant hub for trendy toys, earning the title of "China's Trendy Toy Capital" with over 85% of the country's trendy toy products originating from the city [1][6] Group 1: Manufacturing and Innovation - The city has demonstrated remarkable manufacturing capabilities, exemplified by a project where a scaled-down model of a 27-meter giant sculpture was completed in just 33 days [2][3] - Dongguan's supply chain can respond instantly, with automated production lines and AI assistance reducing the time from design to finished product to mere hours [3][4] Group 2: Shift from OEM to IP Creation - Historically, many toy companies in Dongguan engaged in low-margin OEM work, but there has been a significant shift towards creating original products and cultural expressions [5][6] - The emergence of independent intellectual properties (IPs) in Dongguan signifies a transition from "Made in China" to "Created in China," enhancing the cultural vitality injected into global markets [6][7] Group 3: Cultural and Market Impact - The combination of creativity and an efficient supply chain, along with cultural elements meeting large markets, has led to a dynamic growth story for Chinese trendy toys [7]

Core Viewpoint - Dongguan, known as the "World Factory," is transforming into a vibrant hub for trendy toys, earning the title of "China's Trendy Toy Capital" with over 85% of the country's trendy toy products originating from the city [1][4]. Group 1: Manufacturing and Innovation - Dongguan's manufacturing capabilities are highlighted by its rapid production times, exemplified by a project where a scaled model of a giant sculpture was completed in just 33 days [10]. - The city has shifted from low-margin assembly work to creating its own products and cultural narratives, moving up the value chain [13][21]. - The local supply chain's responsiveness allows for the transformation of creative ideas into finished products within hours, showcasing the efficiency of automated production lines and AI assistance [13]. Group 2: Cultural Impact and Market Reach - The emergence of original intellectual properties (IPs) in Dongguan is gaining global popularity, indicating a shift from mere manufacturing to cultural creation [21]. - The combination of creativity and an efficient supply chain has led to a dynamic market presence, with Chinese trendy toys making their mark worldwide [20]. - Dongguan's evolution reflects a broader trend of infusing Chinese cultural vitality into the global market, enhancing the perception of "Made in China" products [21].

Core Insights - The 21st Cultural Expo officially opened on May 22, showcasing the significance of the cultural industry as a "barometer" for trends, with a focus on the newly established潮玩 (trendy toys) culture exhibition area [1] Industry Overview - The Chinese潮玩 industry is projected to reach a total value of 110.1 billion yuan by 2026, with an average annual growth rate exceeding 20% [1] - Dongguan, known as the "Capital of Trendy Toys," is home to approximately 85% of China's潮玩 production, with 160 large-scale enterprises in the sector expected to generate nearly 23.8 billion yuan in revenue in 2024, reflecting a year-on-year growth of nearly 19% [3] Company Highlights - Pop Mart, recognized as the "first stock of blind boxes," showcased its offerings at the expo, including the immersive IP theme park, POP LAND, which opened in September 2023 and has attracted numerous visitors [2] - Pop Mart's collaboration with the film "Nezha: Birth of the Demon Child" led to a surge in sales of related merchandise, with stock selling out within a day of the film's release despite doubling the usual inventory [2] - As of the end of 2024, Pop Mart plans to operate over 500 physical stores and more than 2,300 robotic stores across more than 30 countries and regions globally, with its market capitalization surpassing 300 billion HKD [2] Cultural Integration -潮玩 serves as a medium for emotional resonance and self-expression among Generation Z, integrating with various cultural forms such as movies, anime, and online games to create an IP matrix that promotes local culture [3] - Companies are increasingly drawing inspiration from traditional culture for product development, as seen in the "本潮纲目" series that merges traditional Chinese medicine with modern潮玩 design [3] Technological Innovation - The incorporation of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and virtual reality into潮玩 products is enhancing their interactivity and appeal, exemplified by the AI smart潮玩 product "娃三岁," which features voice recognition and emotional interaction capabilities [4]

Group 1 - The 21st China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair opened, showcasing Dongguan's "Trendy Dongguan" theme, focusing on the trendy toy industry and cultural tourism integration [1] - Dongguan is the largest toy export base in China, producing nearly 85% of the country's trendy toys, with the slogan "World toys look to China, Chinese toys look to Dongguan" gaining recognition [1] - In 2023, Dongguan was awarded the title of "China's Trendy Toy Capital," with 160 enterprises in the trendy toy production sector achieving nearly 23.8 billion yuan in revenue, a year-on-year growth of nearly 19% [1] Group 2 - The trendy fashion toy display area highlighted the application and integration of trendy art and fashion culture in the toy sector, featuring brands like TOYCITY and products based on popular domestic animation IPs [2] - The warm companionship toy display area focused on plush toys for companionship and parent-child interaction, showcasing products that blend traditional Chinese medicine culture with modern toy design [2] - The high-tech interactive toy display area featured innovations in artificial intelligence and virtual reality, including AI smart toys capable of interactive communication with users [2]

Group 1: Event Overview - The 21st China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (CICIF) was held from May 22 to 26 at the Shenzhen International Convention and Exhibition Center, lasting for five days [1] - Dongguan participated in the fair with the theme "Dongguan, the Capital of Trendy Toys," showcasing the integration of trendy toy industry and cultural tourism [1] Group 2: Innovative Products - Dongguan's Da Pi Liang (Dongguan) Toy Co., Ltd. showcased its AI smart trendy toy "Wawa Sansui," which utilizes voice recognition and emotional interaction technologies for diverse audience engagement [1] - Ha Yi Dai Toy Co., Ltd. introduced the "Ben Chao Gang Mu Series," merging traditional Chinese medicine culture with modern toy design, appealing to young consumers [2] - Dongguan Yuan Kang Toy Manufacturing Co., Ltd. developed multifunctional interactive plush toys using eco-friendly materials and smart sensing technology, demonstrating significant industry upgrades through technology [2] Group 3: Cultural Tourism Integration - Dongguan actively promotes cultural tourism integration, leveraging its rich historical and cultural resources, culinary culture, and film shooting resources to create new highlights in this area [3] - The exhibition featured three main display areas: "Bay Area Weekend IN Dongguan," "Travel with Food," and "Travel with Film," showcasing the achievements of Dongguan's cultural tourism integration [3] - The "Travel with Film" area promoted the "Jin Guan Pai" film cloud service platform, providing comprehensive support for film crews, thereby attracting more filming projects to Dongguan [3]

4月19日，广东省"百万英才汇南粤"N城联动春季招聘活动（杭州站）举行。东莞潮玩企业代表——东 莞市微石文化科技有限公司相关人员赴杭州，招聘与中国传统文化相关的产品设计和创意人才。 "东莞潮玩文创发展迅速，企业在茁壮成长过程中需要大量优秀人才。"该公司总经理熊毛说。 潮玩是艺术与产业的共生体。从"潮玩经济"2022年首次写入东莞政府工作报告，到2025年被纳 入"8+8+4"现代产业体系，东莞步步为营布局潮玩产业，生产的潮玩产品在全球保持强劲竞争力，全球 四分之一动漫衍生品由东莞制造，全国近85%的潮玩产自东莞。 超4000家玩具企业聚集 当广东衡立泰工艺品有限公司总经理陈祺在小红书刷到粉丝晒出自家生产的"哪吒"相关产品时，自豪之 情油然而生。"这就是中国潮玩的未来——用工艺讲故事，让世界为'谷子'心动。"陈祺说。 陈祺所说的"谷子"，由英文单词Goods（商品）音译而来，即漫画、动画、游戏等领域版权作品的周边 产品。陈祺深耕潮玩行业18年，2007年从徽章制造起步，逐步搭建起覆盖全球IP的"谷子王国"。公司年 销售额从2022年的1亿元提高到2024年的3亿元，国内市场占比从20%跃升至70%。 在头部企业 ...